Perry W. Howard, I
| Perry Wilbon Howard, I | |
 | |
State Representative from Mississippi (Holmes County)
| |
| In office 1872–1875 | |
| Born | 1835 South Carolina |
|---|---|
| Died | February 7, 1907 Ebenezer, Mississippi |
| Spouse(s) | Sallie[1] |
| Children | Seven sons, including:[2] • Andrew Jackson Howard (1863–1938) • Perry W. Howard, II (1877–1961) • Elmer Elsworth Howard (1879–???) • Wesley F. Howard Two daughters:[2] |
Perry Wilbon Howard, I (1835 – February 7, 1907),[3] also known as Perry Wilbon Howard, Sr.,[1] was a blacksmith[2] and former slave originally from South Carolina who served for a period of time on the Holmes County Board of Supervisors in Mississippi.
He was the father of Perry Wilbon Howard, II, a lawyer and professor who led the Mississippi "black and tan" delegations in the Republican National Convention for several decades.
Biography
Howard was born in South Carolina[2] into slavery in his early life, and later married a woman who also had previously been enslaved.[4] The couple owned farmland[1] and had many children, including Perry W. Howard, II.
The Howard family strongly emphasized the importance of a proper education for their children, and sent all their sons to colleges, where they became doctors and professors.[1] Their daughters Eva and Sarah grew up to work as teachers.[2]
Political career
From 1872 to 1875, Howard was a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives.[2]
During the 1888 presidential election, he served as an alternate delegate to the Republican National Convention,[3] which nominated Benjamin Harrison. The latter won the race, defeating Bourbon Democrat Grover Cleveland.
Death
Howard died on early February 7, 1907 in Ebenezer, Mississippi, leaving his wife a widow.[2] His location of interment is unknown.[3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Engledew, Devin (March 14, 2007). Perry Wilbon Howard (1877-1961). BlackPast. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Perry W. Howard (Holmes County). Against All Odds: The first Black legislators in Mississippi. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Howard. The Political Graveyard. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
- ↑ Perry Wilbon Howard Jr.. Find a Grave. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
